MANILA – Negros Muscovados fizzled out in the overtime period to suffer an 88-83 defeat to Imus SV Squad in the 2023 Maharlika Pilip inas Basketball League on Thursday night at the Baliwag Star Arena in Bulacan.
Imus surged to a 79-75 start in the extension period courtesy of baskets by Jaymar Gimpayan and Bryan Faundo but it was quickly negated with back-to-back hits by Negros’ Lugie Cuyos and Jonathan Gantalao Jr.
Joseph Penarendondo surged Imus ahead anew at 82-79 via a three-point basket. Negros cut it anew to 81-82 after an Edrian Lao basket but two freebies by Penaredondo restored a three-point margin.
Imus increased the lead further to 86-81 on a basket by Johnsherick Estrada but Negros made its last push at 83-86 on a layup by Jason Melano but another connection by Gimpayan sealed the win for Imus.
Estrada, a former standout of St. Clare College of Caloocan Saints, led the way with 26 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals as Imus kicked off their MPBL season on a winning note.
Penaredondo added 16 markers, including two outside conversions, while Gimpayan contributed double-double 10 points and 16 rebounds for the Jinino Manansala-mentored Imus.
Imus caught fire in the opening quarter as they erected a 20-8 advantage but Negros countered with a rally in the second period behind Nico Paolo Javelona and Ritcher Santillan to cut the deficit to 33-36 at the half.
The Muscovados continued their run in the second half as they finally took the lead at 46-43 on a connection by Melano but Imus kept the game close since then until the game reached overtime.
Javelona had his best game for the Muscovados with 22 points, including four three-point baskets, while Melano and Lao chipped in 17 and 11 markers, respectively. They dropped to 1-2 record.
The Muscovados will have a one-week break before resuming their campaign against General Santos Warriors at six in the evening on March 30 at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
BOX SCORE:
IMUS 88 – Estrada 26, Penaredondo 16, Gimpayan 10, Faundo 9, Galang 9, Mallari 8, Hayes 6, Lastimosa 2, Sablan 2, Cardona 0.
BACOLOD 83 – Javelona 22, Melano 17, Lao 11, Geolingo 8, Santillan 8, Albo 4, Bartolo 4, Ingles 3, Gantalao 2, Cuyos 2, Maloles 2, Andaya 0, Longa 0.
Quarterscores: 20-8, 36-33, 57-59, 75-75, 88-83./PN
